Prinzmetal's or Prinzmetal Angina, Variant Angina and Angina Inversa

Updated:Aug 21,2017

Unlike typical angina – which is often triggered by exertion or emotional stress - Prinzmetal’s angina almost always occurs when a person is at rest, usually between midnight and early morning. These attacks can be very painful.

Prinzmetal angina may also be referred to as:

Variant angina

Prinzmetal's variant angina

Angina inversa

Prinzmetal’s angina is rare, representing about two out of 100 cases of angina, and usually occurs in younger patients than those who have other kinds of angina.

Causes of Variant (Prinzmetal) Angina: The pain from variant angina is caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries (which supply blood to the heart muscle).